Package of recording paper

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a package of recording paper and, more particularly, to apparatus for assuring that a chemically-treated paper which, during transportation, storage, and use, remains moist and maintains its sensitivity and ability to record properly.

United States Patent PMENTEU Jawze'fsm INVENTOR. SYLVESTER C. SVIOKL.

BY lm MW" ATTORNEY PACKAGE OF RECORDING PAPER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the art of graphic communications, it is common practice to form a visual record by passing a chemically-treated paper between electrodes while impressing a communicated electrical signal across the electrodes. The passage of the electrical current causes the chemicals in the paper to change color and leave a visual image. An example of this paper is shown and described in Ives U.S. Pat. No. 3,354,058 wherein the paper is impregnated with a water solution containing a strong electrolyte, a lake-forming polyhydroxy benzene, and certain organic dicarboxylic acids. This type of paper works best when it is of a predetermined moistness, If it is too moist, the chemicals form pools and the visual image is smeared. The resolution is reduced because the area or spot is not clearly defined by the area of paper in contact with the electrodes. Also- -even though the mark is formed-it may be dissolved or blurred by the action of the excess chemical solution. On the other hand, if sufficient moisture is not present, there will be skipping in the visual image. If moisture is not sufficient, the mark may be lighter in color or not formed at all-and fibers of the paper may be scuffed. Considerable difficulty has been experienced because a roll of this paper is subjected to various degrees of humidity as it is transported, stored, and placed in use. During the first two stages of its life (that is to say, transportation and storage), it is possible to enclose it in an impervious bag or package and, more often than not, no problem is presented. A more difficult situation, however, exists when the paper is to be used in a slow-speed intermittently-operated recording machine that may be located anywhere in the world under extremes of humidity and temperature. Even when the humidity at the place of use remains constant and the evaporation rate from the roll is also constant, the portion of the paper web which is located toward the center of the roll (and which is used last) tends to be considerably drier than the paper at the beginning of the roll which is used first. In addition, where recorders are used sporadically and are stopping and starting, this means that the rate of evaporation may vary considerably. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a package of recording paper in which the-moisture is not lost during transportation, storage, and use.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a package for recording paper of the moist type in which the moisture is maintained at its highest possible value.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a roll of recording paper whose moisture tends to be constant during use irrespective of whether the paper is at the beginning of the roll or at the end.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a package of recording paper which is automatically moisture compensating and requires no intervention from the operator of the recording machine due to variations in moisture.

A still further object of the invention is` the provision of a package of recording paper of the wet type wherein the moisture is maintained constant by use of inexpensive and foolproof apparatus and which requires no human intervention to maintain this condition.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for causing a roll of recording paper to have a higher than normal moisture content.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I In general, the present invention relates to a package of recording paper having a tubular roll of paper with a longitudinal bore, having a body of liquid located in the bore, and having means for closing the ends of the bore to retain the body of liquid in place. More specifically, the closing means consists of a nonabsorbent plug at each end of the bore having a cylindrical boss extending into the bore and a radially extending flange pressed against a radial end surface of the roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG, l is a perspective view with portions broken away of a package of recording paper embodying the principles of the present invention, and i FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plug or hub element used in the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FlG. l, wherein are best shown'the general features of the invention, the package, indicated generally by the reference numeral l0, is shown as consisting of a tubular roll 1I of recording paper having a longitudinal bore l2. In one end of the bore is located a plug 13` while in the other end is located a plug 14. The surface of the bore l2 and the inner ends of the plugs 13 and 14 define within the roll a cavity l5 which is almost entirely filled with a body of the same solution with which the paper in the roll was originally manufactured, i.e., a mixture of water, electrolyte, lake-forming chemicals, and certain acid compounds. Totally surrounding the roll Il and the plugs I3 and 14 is a bag 16 formed of impervious plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride, which is not subject to action by the chemical with which the roll is impregnated. This bag is sealed along a seam 17 to render it liquidand airtight during transportation and storage.

In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the plug 13 consists of a cylindrical boss 18 having a diameter equal to the inside diameter ofthe bore I2 of the roll so as to be a tight press fit. Extending radially outwardly from the boss 18 is a flange 19 having a flat radial face adapted to lie tightly against the radial face of the roll 1I at that end. Also extending outwardly from the flange is another boss 2l which is exactly the same size and shape as the boss 18 and, when the boss I8 is inserted in the end of the bore l2, the boss 2l acts as the low friction support for the roll in the paper compartment and can be used as a handle for inserting or removing it.

The operation of the invention will now be readily uriderstood, in view of the above description. During transportation and storage, presumably, the bag 16 will remain impervious to liquid and air and there will be no evaporation of liquid from the roll ll. If, by accident, the bag 1,6 is pierced, naturally, there will be an escape of liquid from the paper in the roll, and this will be replaced by water soaking into the roll through the inner surface ofthe bore I2. The most important function, however, of the invention takes place when the roll of paper is being used in a recorder. There are some circumstances where a recorder of the type described may remain out of operation for long lengths of time'. During this time, the liquid is free to evaporate from the outer layers of the roll. Other recording machines may have only sporadic use, and thus the roll will remain in the machine and the liquid will evaporate into the air overI a considerable length of time', evenl though the recorder may be sealed at least in part in the recorder compartment. Even when the recorder receives intension use and the paper is rapidly used, up nevertheless, when the humidity is low, considerable water will evaporate, so that the amount of moisture or chemical solution in the paper will be greater in the beginning than when the roll has been reduced to a smaller size after extensive use of the roll in the machine. Furthermore, under some circumstances, the nature of the recording operation is such 'that small changes in moisture quantity of the paper may make considerable difference in the nature of the visual image. With the present invention, however, the paper inthe roll will always contain the maximum that it can absorb. Whenever the moisture evaporates, leaving the paper with less than its capacity, liquid will be absorbed into it from the liquid body. Even papers in the outer layer which become dry will absorb liquid from inner layers which, in turn, receive liquid from still inner layers until, finally, the liquid is drawn from the body of liquid in the cavity l5. ln other words, the drier the paper becomes (or the faster the liquid evaporates), the faster liquid will be reabsorbed intothe roll from the inner body of liquid.

In can be seen, then, that the roll will tend to remain at a constant moisture, moisture, irrespective of the circumstances in which it resides. As a matter of fact, the absorption of liquid by the roll will adjust itself to the rate of evaporation of liquid from the roll. This is true whether evaporation takes place during transportation, storage, or use. The arrangement is quite inexpensive and requires no human intervention to assure proper successful operation.

lt is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. lt is not,rhowever` desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein'shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

I claim:

l. A package of recording paper, comprising:

a. a tubular roll of paper having a longitudinal bore;

b. a body of liquid located in the bore; and

c. means closing the ends of the bore to retain the body ol` liquid in place, there being no intervening material between the paper and thc liquid to prevent the liquid from permeating the paper.

2. A package as recited in claim l, wherein the said means is a plug at each end ofthe bore having a cylindrical boss extending into the bore and a radially extending flange pressed against a radial end surface of the roll.

3. A package as recited in claim 2, wherein a similar boss extends from the flange in the opposite direction from the first-named boss.

4. A package as recited in claim l, wherein a liquid-impervious bag surrounds the roll. 

1. A package of recording paper, comprising: a. a tubular roll of paper having a longitudinal bore; b. a body of liquid located in the bore; and c. means closing the ends of the bore to retain the body of liquid in place, there being no intervening material between the paper and the liquid to prevent the liquid from permeating the paper.
 2. A package as recited in claim 1, wherein the said means is a plug at each end of the bore having a cylindrical boss extending into the bore and a radially extending flange pressed against a radial end surface of the roll.
 3. A package as recited in claim 2, wherein a similar boss extends from the flange in the opposite direction from the first-named boss.
 4. A package as recited in claim 1, wherein a liquid-impervious bag surrounds the roll. 